PREVIEW: Japan v Ireland

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 09:06

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland's jet-lagged players fear sapping heat could be a factor against Japan on Saturday after completing a light training session in scorching conditions.

Coach Joe Schmidt has made six changes to his starting XV for the clash in Shizuoka, on Japan's Pacific coast, but stand-in skipper Rhys Ruddock predicted Friday that the visitors would face a severe examination.

"I would imagine it is going to be a serious challenge," he told reporters.

"All week we have been mentally preparing, we know it's going to be horrible and it is going to be challenging," added Ruddock. "It will make what is already a hugely difficult test even harder."

An Ireland side missing key players involved in the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand arrived in Tokyo earlier this week from New York after thrashing the United States 55-19.

The second game of their three-match June tour will be a test of stamina against a Japan side who beat Romania 33-21 last weekend.

"We'd have known a lot about Leitch and Mafi from over the years playing for Japan and performances in Super Rugby," said Ruddock.

"But Tokunaga has really impressed us. He's dynamic and he's really good around the breakdown. He could pose a lot of problems for us."

Ruddock added: "We've done our homework but dealing with it is another thing, so hopefully we can prove we're up to the challenge."

Japan will look to exploit their home advantage with an up-tempo game dictated by scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka and flyhalf Yu Tamura.

But Ruddock insisted Ireland would be ready for the onslaught in a rehearsal for the 2019 World Cup, when they face will tournament hosts Japan in the pool stage.

"They're a really strong side," he said. "We actually know a lot about their players. Guys like Tanaka and Tamura are quality operators.

But the work we've done in the week has allowed us to know what their strengths."

Japan have never beaten Ireland and the last time they met was in 2005.

But the Brave Blossoms have made major strides since, shedding their tag as World Cup pushovers two years ago by winning three games under Eddie Jones, including a stunning upset of South Africa.

Players to watch:

For Japan: Wing Kenki Fukuoka has been in fantastic form in Super Rugby and he has a lot of speed to burn. Scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka is dangerous around the rucks, while loose forward Michael Leitch has all the skills to trouble the Irish at the breakdown.

For Ireland: Lock Devin Toner is a powerhouse up front, while flyhalf Paddy Jackson has the skill and the composure to control things at the back. Fullback Simon Zebo and wing Keith Earls are try-scoring machines.

Head to head: The battle between the two back rows will be interesting, while flyhalves Yu Tamura and Paddy Jackson no slouches in the No.10 jerseys.

Ireland rack up 50 against Japan

TEST MATCH REPORT: Ireland served Japan a brutal reality check as they crushed the Asian champions 50-22 on Saturday.

It was the second Test of their three-match June tour.

Joe Schmidt's new-look side ran in seven tries in a clinical performance despite the lingering effects of jet-lag and blazing heat in Shizuoka, on Japan's Pacific coast.

With the bulk of Ireland's usual starting line-up in New Zealand on duty with the British and Irish Lions, a fresh crop of hungry young players tore into Japan from the start.

Keith Earls burst clear to score Ireland's first try after just 10 minutes and, with Heiichiro Ito sin-binned, Dan Leavy barged over twice before Jack Conan also crossed as the tourists stretched their lead to 31-3 at half-time.

The Irish, who thrashed the United States 55-19 in New Jersey last weekend, added further tries through Conan, Garry Ringrose and Earls again after the break.

Flyhalf Paddy Jackson slotted 13 points on six-for-six kicking.

Japan's "Brave Blossoms," who ground out a 33-21 home win over Romania last week, looked bereft of ideas in a dress rehearsal for the 2019 World Cup, when they will face Ireland in the pool stage as tournament hosts.

Despite encouraging signs in the second half, late consolation tries from Kenki Fukuoka and Yutaka Nagare failed to paper over the cracks for Japan, who get another shot at the Irish in Tokyo next week.